Stockport County Ladies fall just short against Barnsley Women in thrilling encounter

Stockport County Ladies fell just short against top of the table Barnsley Women in an enthralling Women’s National League Division 1 North encounter.

Stockport took the lead twice at the start of each half, first through Chloe Mapp and then through captain Jodie Hancock, but were unable to hold out for the win.

Goals from Barnsley’s Sophie Bell, Drew Greene and Laura Bartup ensured stay five points ahead of Leeds United at the top of the table, albeit having played a game more.

The table suggested this would be a difficult game for Stockport but they started brightly. Good work from Ellise Newby allowed her to play in Chloe Mapp, who finished into the bottom-right hand corner to open the scoring in just the fifth minute.

Barnsley were clearly a strong side however and were not behind for long as a whipped corner from Lindsey Tugby was headed by Sophie Bell to even up the tie at 1-1. Stockport did well to weather Barnsley’s attack and managed to see out the first half, going in level at half-time.

Stockport came out well, however, and regained the lead in the 58th minute. A corner from Masa Butler allowed Jodie Hancock to fire home and put Stockport back in front.

Just moments earlier, a terrific save from Jessica Linford in the Stockport goal, keeping out Lindsey Tugby’s effort.

Despite Stockport’s bright start to the second half, they were unable to see out the game. Darcie Greene equalised Barnsley before Bartup converted another Tugby corner with just five minutes remaining. Stockport got forward well in the last few minutes but were unable to find an equaliser.

Stockport stay 10th in the table and are away to Durham Cestria in their next game, while Barnsley stay top, with a Yorkshire derby at home to Bradford City in their next game.